Happy New Year everyone! My Christmas gift to myself, Netflix subscription, has brought productive activities, including writing reviews, to a grinding halt. I can barely be bothered to rustle up a proper dinner let alone formulate a coherent post about a beauty product that I have been using. Over the past 3 weeks, I have watched the whole of House of Cards, Marco Polo, Sherlock, and then 4 seasons of Friends. Iโm now trying to wean myself off Netflix and make that concerted effort to get back to normalโฆ Hence my first review of 2015.
There are a few budget lotions (or Japanese toners) I really enjoy usingย โ Kohaku-hada Lotion (in Moisturising) is one of them. It reminds me of Rohtoโs Hada-Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion Light (the 2013 formula), but this is packed with a lot more hydrating ingredients. (I wrote a best pick review of the regular version last year in 2014!)
They are really quite similar in many waysย โ they both are free of alcohol, fragrance, and silicones, and they look almost indistinguishable from each other. If you like Hada-Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion Light (or find the regular version a tad too rich) then Iโd hazard a guess youโll like this even better. Itโs really effective at giving dehydrated skin a big boost of moisture and leaving the skin feeling softer and more supple. It feels more lightweight than the regular Hada-Labo lotion, but also more hydrating than the Light formula.
Like Hada-Labo, it contains a high percentage of hyaluronic acid to plump up the skin, but itโs not really the star ingredient in this show. Kohaku-hada Lotion is formulated with amber extract and powder (kohaku means โamberโ). Amber is said to strengthen the skinโs barrier function and it also helps protect against free radical damages. Iโll be honest; Iโm not sure whether amber actually does anything for the skinย โ my skinโs barrier function is fine and anti-ageing isnโt a benefit that will show a visible amount of difference in the short-term. But it also contains a whole whack load of moisture-binding ingredients like rice ceramide, honey, collagen, lecithin, and placental protein. So all very good indeed.
I have to admit there is nothing particularly mind-blowing about the lotion โ it doesnโt do much more than hydratingย on my non-sensitive skin โ but it does a really good job at that without the leaving the skin feeling sticky, even when I accidentally use too much. I also find its rather unusual text print packaging design ridiculously appealing! Quite possibly my most favourite lotion packaging for budget buys. Itโs beautifully put together and has ingredients to help protect and hydrate the skin. Overall, itโsย a definite winner.
You can find the 220ml bottle of Kohaku-hada Lotion (Moisturising) for ยฅ760 in Japan.
(years later!)
Thanks for all this information!
Struggling to find this brand in drugstores around Japan. Granted, I havenโt looked in Tokyo yet where Iโm going soon.
To your knowledge this brand is still going and should be available in Tokyo? In large drugstores like Matsumoto or Mega Donquiote?
Itโs a very tiny, niche brand so it has always been difficult to find. The lotion was reformulated last year โ I havenโt tried it. Iโve seen the brand in some Matsukiyo and Sun Drug in Tokyo.
Thanks for your reply.
I actually emailed the company about their stockists and they helpfully replied. Mostly just a couple of tax-free shopping stores in Ginza (LAOX).
The updated ingredient list still looks pretty good so Iโm giving it a shot! Certainly costs more though at ยฅ1860.
Drugstores
Really interesting review! How do you think this would compare to Hada Labo Gokujyun Premiumโฆ is it better? Also, Iโd love to know what your HG go to lotion is right now. ๐
The Gokujyun Premium is significantly richer and more moisturising. This is pretty lightweight.
Thanks for that info! Iโm also looking for a lotion that would be ideal for the 7 skin layering methodโฆ do you think Kohaku would be suitable for this, or are there better hydrating lotions out there?
I tried the Koreanโs 7 skin method (not for me, personally) and in my experience, itโs best done a formula thatโs very lightweight and watery. Skin feels sticky and overloaded very quickly with that many layers, especially itโs rich.
Ah that makes a lot of sense, and thanks for the heads up! Iโm curious to try out the 7 skin method, so Iโll definitely try to find watery/lighter formulas.
My skin is super oily so the idea of being oily AND sticky is a big nope for me! ๐
Unless your skin is dry/dehydrated, thereโs really no benefits in the 3/5/7 skin method. Itโs simply an (a lot more time-consuming) alternative to using a normal moisturiser. From what Iโve seen and read online so far, those who really like it seem to be โKorean skincare routineโ fans who have dry skin.
Hm, interestingโฆ Iโm oily + sensitive (my dermatitis is under control thanks to trying out Asian skincare 2 yrs ago). Also, my skin improved a lot after using products w/ hydrating ingredients, so Iโve always assumed thatโs a sign Iโm dehydrated too. Iโm still gonna try out the 7 skin method b/c Iโm curious; however, If it doesnโt work/wastes product for no reason then Iโll consider the method โmythbustedโ.
Iโve been looking around at different options for lotions to use w/ this method (been looking on the Asian Beauty reddit), and for some reason the AB reddit mostly focuses on Korean brands. Iโm more interested in finding a hydrating watery lotion thatโs Japanese (Iโve enjoyed using Hada Labo), and it makes me more curious re whatโs available in the Japanese market. Hehe so Iโm really glad your site existsโฆ it totally makes my hunt for a watery Japanese toner much easier!
Definitely, although Iโd try the method out using the existing products you have.
I donโt know what it is about this post, but Iโve received updates from my email subscription with this very same post numerous times in the past year. Now, its 2016 and Iโm still getting a new email about this, your 2015 โNew Yearโ update about Kohaku-hada Lotion (Moisturizing). Haha.
So sorry about that! It must have ben such a nuisance having to see the same post in your inbox so many time!
Iโve just moved my siteโs feed off Feedburner service, so you (and everyone subscribed) should no longer be getting any email updates from now on. If you still wish be notified of site updates through email, you can subscribe to the new direct feed using the left side bar.
Thanks for the review! I know Iโm super late in replies, but I absolutely LOVE all the Netflix shows that you mentioned. House of Cards and Sherlock being my favourite. Black Mirror is soooo good!! So is The Fall with Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan. But I probably shouldnโt be providing you with more shows to watch, because I donโt want you to stop writing reviews. hahaโฆ
I have fallen in love with the Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (regular) after you recommended it and it is now a staple of mine. I actually donโt find that sticky at all and I even use it in the summer as I have slightly dehydrated skin. Iโm definitely going to try this Kuhaku-hada one next. Does the Extra Moisturizing version contains far superior ingredients for moisturization? If not, then I might just stick to the regular version so I may use it for the summer time.
Do you put this type of hyaluronic acid lotion on before or after your acidic/exfoliating products? Iโm using the Paulaโs Choice Clear regular strength 2% BHA. Iโm always a little confused, since lotions are supposed to be like toners and hence, be applied right after cleansing. But since this is a moisturizing lotionโฆI donโt know. Please educate me. Thanks in advance!!
I find the Extra Moisturising version far too rich for my normal-ish skin.
I know some people think very long 10-step routine is the way to go, but I think itโs just over the top and very redundant. Personally, I feel that if you need to layer several serums and moisturisers on a regular basis in order to see benefits, you just need to pick more effective products. I use BHA liquid as a lotion โ I use one or the other.
Thanks for your reply. Although I donโt have a 10 step routine, Iโm definitely guilty of layering way too much products on. I need to try using the BHA alone without lotion before or after it, and see if that will make any difference. Thanks for the suggestion.
Does this have paraben?
No, its product info (including ingredients) is already linked in the review.
Hereโs the same)) The whole of House of Cards, Suits, Downton Abbey and Prison Break! Oh that was marathon.. Congratulations with getting back to normal, Iโm also working on it )
Happy New Year and thank you for the new nice lotion!
Question, when shopping at Rakuten how do you know if the seller only ships in Japan and not internationally? I know some sellers make it clear in their store info pages but for others I have no idea if they are going to ship internationally? Thanks.
All the shops that are searchable on Rakuten Global Market site ship internationally. I also link to ones that do, generally ones that will ship via SAL/Airmail when requested.
Iโm going off topic, but have you tried the โmetabolizersโ from รPSA? Iโm totally in love with them!
No, I havenโt.
Oh so the light doesnt have alcohol? I thought that was what made it lighter which is why I avoided it
The Hada-Labo? Nope, the 2013 formula is alcohol-free.